Controversy Erupts Over NC-BJP ‘Fixed Match’ in J&K Rajya Sabha Polls

The recent Rajya Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir, the first since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, have ignited a firestorm of controversy, with accusations of a “fixed match” between the ruling National Conference (NC) and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Held on October 24, 2025, to fill four vacant seats, the polls were expected to be a straightforward victory for the NC, which commands a formidable 59-member support base in the 88-member J&K Assembly. However, in a shocking twist, the BJP’s J&K president, Sat Sharma, clinched the fourth seat with 32 votes—four more than the party’s 28-member strength—while the NC secured only three seats, prompting widespread allegations of vote manipulation.

The NC fielded four candidates, banking on its numerical advantage, but the results raised eyebrows. NC’s Imran Nabi Dar, contesting the fourth seat, garnered only 21 votes, while Surinder Oberoi, the party’s third candidate, secured 31 votes—two more than the required 29. This surplus effectively reduced Dar’s tally, paving the way for Sharma’s victory without apparent cross-voting. Three votes were also declared invalid, further fueling suspicions of a deliberate strategy. Political observers and opposition leaders have labeled the outcome a “pre-arranged deal” between the NC and BJP, with allegations that the NC gifted votes to ensure Sharma’s win.

Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Gani Lone, who abstained from voting, was among the most vocal critics, calling the election a “fixed match.” “The numbers prove a calculated maneuver between NC and BJP. Candidate three got 31 votes, including one invalid vote from an NC member, ensuring the fourth candidate had no chance. This was orchestrated with Delhi’s knowledge,” Lone alleged. He pointed to the surplus votes for Oberoi as evidence of a coordinated effort to secure a 3-1 seat split, mirroring a proposal NC president Farooq Abdullah admitted the BJP had pitched to his party.

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The BJP’s decision to nominate its J&K president, Sat Sharma, for the contested fourth seat has added to the speculation. A senior BJP leader, speaking anonymously, revealed, “We knew Sharma would win. Nominating the party president for a risky seat isn’t done without groundwork. Our calculations ensured a 3-1 outcome.” Political analysts suggest that Sharma’s candidacy was a confident move, backed by a behind-the-scenes arrangement to avoid the embarrassment of a potential loss for the BJP’s state chief.

The controversy has sparked demands for transparency. Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Monga called for the government to disclose the names of MLAs who cross-voted or deliberately invalidated their ballots. “The public deserves to know who betrayed the process. MLAs are briefed on voting procedures and can’t claim ignorance,” Monga stated. NC MP Aga Ruhullah echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the issue of cross-voting involves “public trust” and cannot remain hidden. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah further intensified the debate, admitting that the government knows the identities of the seven MLAs who either cross-voted or invalidated their votes but stopped short of revealing them.

As political tensions flare, the mystery surrounding the seven MLAs whose actions facilitated the BJP’s surprise victory continues to dominate J&K’s political discourse. Allegations of a backroom deal between the NC and BJP have cast a shadow over the democratic process, with questions lingering about whether the truth will ever be fully disclosed. For now, the controversy underscores the complex and often contentious dynamics of J&K’s post-Article 370 political landscape, leaving voters and observers demanding accountability.

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